The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-16
the next day the transfer was made, Jen-

| to the possession OF the late COlonel I1enry
Cabot and the late Judge Frederic Cabot,
formerly the possession of Edgar Cabot,
and to all honors, rank, glory, ETC., which
NAV accrue from the ownership OF the
same"
A few days later Cabot proposed the
name of Maxwell as a member of the very
exclusive West End club to which be be-
longed. At this proposition there was
some demur, and Cabot quietly said to
one of the obiectors:
sI know what you fellows are thinking
of. You fancy that Max has nothing but
his money to back him for admittance
here, but you are mistaken. I hapIe en- to
know-know, mind you-that he can
claim lawful ownership in his excellency,
the late Judge Cabot. He has papers In
his possession which prove it."
| care YOU sure2" was the amazed in
quiry.
ri am. have seen the documents to
which I refer"
"It must have been on his mothers
side if there was such relationship"
"Did you never hear of my aunt,
Letitia, who disappeared so mysteriously2"
'I thought she committed suicide"
"Some of us Cabots are such lunatics
that we think suicide preferable to a
mesalliance," replied Cabot, significantly.
So the story went around that Max
Jennings had just discovered that he was
defendant of the old Cabot family, and
when his name was proposed for election
there was not single black ball against
him. He was accordingly notified that
he was duly elected member of the
Miles Standish Club.
As soon as Jennings received this
notification he fastened to the Reception
Committee of said club, and explained
the whole matter to them. Whereat,
pleased with his frankness, and highly
amused at the ab4urdity of the transac-
ton, the club, at its next meeting, unan-
imously elected him member ''on his
own merits, and not those of his sup
posititious ancestors" and also, equally
unanimously, dropped from its roll the
name of Edgar Cabot, ga man who
could sell his grandfather not being
worthy of the noble name of Miles
Standish Brother" was the verdict.
DIR. Randall, in common with most of
the sons of the first settlers, was men,
Der of this same club, so he naturally
told his wife about the transaction be-
tween Cabot and Jennings. She an
swered:
sT am sure it evinces a very proper
feeling on Mr.. Jennings part to want a
grandfather; but surely he must have
known that such sale was impossible.
What better off is he for the nominal
ownership of Judge Cabot9 Does it give
him any of the Cabot virtues2"
''Has the actual ownership of such
grandfather given Edgar Cabot any OF
those virtues2 Do you think the Judge
has much to be proud of in such an.heir2"
asked her husband.
"You know, my dear, I never had any
love for Edgar Cabot, and I have still
less for him now. Do you suppose that
Mr.. Jennings had any idea that this pur-
chase would enhance his value in our
eyes7 He has certainly been very atten-
tive to Olive lately, and l have feared
that she liked him too we'll"
"That will never dol" exclaimed the
doctor, emphatically. "I cannot have
one of my girls marry the son of that
old Tom Jennings, a most disreputable
old creature who possessed but one virtue,
that of generosity, so far as l can hear.
No, no; that must not be! have moth
ing against Max Jennings himself, but
blood will tell, you know"
GAS t,has done in the case of Edgar
Cabot" said Mrs. Randall, dryly. She
liked Max, and she more than suspected
that Olive returned the love which Max
so evidently felt for her, and she did
wish that there could be some way de-
vised by which he could be transformed
into suitable husband for her. And
then his wealth, too! Poor Olive had
not all the pretty things which girls OF
her age ought to have, the mother felt.
"There are exceptions to all rules, " said
the doctor, concisely, "and Edgar Cabot
is the exception to this one"
ssMay not Max Jennings be also an
exception2" suggested Mrs. Randall, but
her husband made no reply, only became
suddenly very much interested In the
evening paper.
A little later, in all about two months
after the purchase of his ancestor, Jcn-
nings called on DR.. Randall's family one
evening, and Olives younger sister, an
irrepressible girl of thirteen, named Pau
line, said to him, somewhat abruptly:
"Oh, Mr.. Jennings, is it true that you
have bought Mr. Cabot's grandfather"
'Tt is true that Judge Cabot now be-
longs to me-that he is my grandfather, "
was Max's answer.
"Since Pauline has broached the sub
iect, Mr.. jennings" said Mrs. Randall,
'T must own that am little curious to
know what gave rise to this remarkable
story which is going around about you
and Edgar Cabot"
ooh, it is very simple. Cabot was
hard up, and traded off few dollars
for an ancestor or two," replied Max,
lightly.
"Do you really mean to claim those
dead Cabots for your own2" asked DIR.
Randall, little testify.
81 do. Why not2" was Max's query.
CTS not what you pay for your own2"
DR.. Randall could neither say yes nor
no. While he was hcsitating for suit
able answer which should cover the whole
ground and yet not hurt Max's feelings,
Max continued:
"You know, sir, that you value descent
above money. Let us suppose case; If
a man had a daughter, and two men
were to present themselves as suitors, the
one with good name but poor purse,
the other in exactly the reverse condi-
ton, to which would you advise her to
give an affirmative answer2"
| II. lon tho FILL mann